Page 13 - Seniorstoday November 2022 Issue

Good for your heart
Gardening is easily one of the best and
most therapeutic activities anyone can do
outdoors. It stimulates the body and soul,
maintains flexibility and mobility, provides
numerous health benefits, and helps you
put fresh, organically grown veggies, fruits
and herbs on your table. But, believe it or
not, the benefits of gardening don’t even end
there. Some studies suggest that there are
cardiovascular benefits from doing manual
labour of gardening. If you think about it,
all the digging, planting and weeding will
almost inevitably contribute to a healthy
weight and blood pressure levels! Hard
manual work burns calories and strengthens
your heart. Studies from the British Journal
of Sports Medicine found that those who
engaged in gardening (for less than one
hour weekly) reduced their risk of dying
from heart disease by 12%. And those
who gardened for more than two hours
weekly reduced their risk of death from
cardiovascular diseases by a whopping 37%!
Some studies show that physical activity
and mental health benefits associated with
gardening can help maintain cognitive
health and reduce the risk of dementia.
It was found that those who regularly
engaged in gardening had a 36% and 47%
lower risk of dementia than non-gardeners,
even when a number of other health factors
have been considered.
What’s more, for people who are already
experiencing mental impairment, even just a
walk in the garden can be therapeutic. That’s
why many residential homes for people
with cognitive issues now have gardens on
their premises, so that their residents with
Alzheimer’s disease or other challenges can
engage in this combination of physical and
mental activity that can have a positive effect
on the mind.
SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #41 | NOVEMBER 2022
Reduce stress and anxiety
The smell of the mitti (earth) is exhilarating.
Once a lawn is mowed the fragrance of
the cut grass is a great mood enhancer.
Gardening is not only beneficial for your
body, but also your soul. Getting your
hands dirty in the garden engages all of
your senses and gives constant exercise to
your imagination. Sketching your garden
layout, determining the types and varieties
of plans to work with, making countless
decisions while taking care of your plants
and your garden space — having a garden
forces you to make hundreds of creative
choices, which is also a great benefit to your
brain health. If you’re feeling stressed or
anxious, getting your fingers dirty could
help!
You can choose gardening as a hobby, it
can also be an opportunity for spending
quality time with your family and friends
Taking care of your garden gives you a
chance to focus on something simple and
pleasant. Putting your mind and body to
work, seeing things growing and thriving
has tremendous therapeutic potential. And
if you are in it as a family, being around
your loved ones is a great mood enhancer
and helps reduce symptoms of depression
and anxiety like nothing else!
Gardening is a great exercise
Gardening is a great exercise without
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